JACKSON, Tenn. — Dec. 1, 2004 — Ray Van Neste, Union鈥檚 director of the R.C. Ryan Center for Biblical Studies and instructor of Christian Studies, has written a book entitled 鈥淐ohesion and Structure in the Pastoral Epistles鈥� that was released in October.
Published by T&T Clark, International, the book is a technical study of 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus and examines how each one of the letters fit together and how one paragraph connects to the next.
Van Neste began writing the book as his doctoral thesis in Aberdeen, Scotland, almost seven years ago. He completed his doctorate in New Testament from the University of Aberdeen in 2002.
鈥淚 wrote the book in response to a significant group of scholars who have argued that these letters don鈥檛 make sense, that they are a sloppy, disorganized mess with little or no meaning,鈥� Van Neste said. 鈥淚 have sought to show linguistically that the letters do fit together well and do make sense. An issue essentially is whether we should regard these letters as worthy of attention. There is a significant bias against these letters among scholars and I have sought in one area to combat this.鈥�
Van Neste was ordained to the ministry in 1991 and has served as both youth pastor and pastor of numerous churches. He has also done extensive work among Baptist churches and student organizations in the Scotland.